[Nettime-bold] Re: On Vengeance and the people of Afghanistan

["Ivo Skoric" <ivo@reporters.net>]

Bin Laden had essentially drive himself into a hole. And I am not 
sure that it is in the Taliban's best interest to continue to protect 
him. Afghanistan was hit by retaliatory strikes after Bin Laden's 
proteges set bombs off in the US embassies in Africa. The US 
chose to play fair and not retaliate when USS Cole was hit - 
because that was a military vessel and, in a war, it was a 
legitimate target. Obviously, there is no way anybody would forgive 
the mastermind of this tragedy. Retaliatory strikes would not do 
this time, either. Bin Laden is needed alive and in court. Also, it 
would be nice to have him around, so he can tell us how many 
more groups of pilots live among us as silent neighbors and wait for 
the commercial flights resume so they can hijack planes and 
smash them in largely populated areas. I think that Taliban 
understand very well that their best wager at the moment is to 
capture and surrender Bin Laden peacefully. Couple of weeks ago 
he probably had their main political opponent assasinated as an 
act of good will, hoping that would assure him their continuous 
protection. But I think he overstayed their welcome with this last 
insanity. They are recognized by three countries in the world and 
one of them - Saudi Arabia - wants Bin Laden dead. They border 
with countries of former Soviet Union, which depend on Russia for 
their survival, and Russia wants him dead, too - many mothers 
there grieve their sons that were killed by Bin Laden mujahedeen. 
They also border with Iran - that also wants Bin Laden dead, 
because he was supporting the faction in Afghanistan that fought 
against the Iran-sponsored mujahedeen. Escape to China is not an 
option, either, because the last thing China needs, regardless of its 
anti-U.S. rethoric, is an islamic fundamentalist zealot. And 
Pakistan values its friendship with the US more than its friendship 
with Bin Laden. So, it should be a no-brainer for Taliban. I've heard 
that a friend of Garry Adams died in the WTC crash, too. Killing 
fellow professionals is never a good way to stay in business. Bin 
Laden's problem is that he has no friends left - everybody is 
frightened and disgusted with the Sepetmeber 11 events. He 
reminds me of the evil characters from James Bond movies - like 
Spectra - the rich outsider who wants to blow up the world. I 
thought that characters like that are confined to movies, comic 
books and novels. Bin Laden, however, somehow crossed from the 
toon-world to our world. But increasingly his only option to escape 
is to launch himself into space like Dr. Evil. 

Date sent:      	Thu, 13 Sep 2001 14:48:01 EDT
Send reply to:  	International Justice Watch Discussion List
             	<JUSTWATCH-L@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU>
From:           	Tom Moran <Tom6294@AOL.COM>
Subject:        	Re: On Vengeance and the people of Afghanistan
To:             	JUSTWATCH-L@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU

In any war, there will be innocents who suffer.  That, unfortunately, is the
nature of war.
    During World War II, not all Germans were Nazis.  Only a relatively few
worked in concentration camps.  A majority were not in the military (half of
the population was female and some number of males were either too young or
too old for the military or had other jobs).  Some number of Germans were
active opponents of the Nazis.  Yet, would anyone argue that the Allies were
somehow unjustified in waging war against Germany because some innocents
would be killed, injured or suffer other effects of war?
    It is pretty clear that bin Laden is in Afghanistan.  While there may be
some doubt as to his connection with the events this week, he is under
indictment in a United States court for bombing the embassies a couple of
years ago.  The United States has a legitimate interest in seeing that he is
brought to justice and given a fair trial.
    Clearly, if bin Laden and his people are being harbored by the
Afghanistan regime, the United States has a legitimate reason for delivering
an ulitmatum to the Afgan government to turn over bin Laden and his people
and prevent future acts of terrorism from Afghanistan against the United
States.  And, if the Afgan government does not comply with the demands in the
ultimatum, Congress would be justified in declaring war.  If the Afgan
government is aiding and abetting terrorist attacks against the United States
or other nations, those nations have a legitimate right to declare war.
    Furthermore, I suggest that if the Afgan government is incapable of
controlling terrorists on its soil, the victim nations have a legitimate
right of self defense to do what is reasonably necessary to prevent future
terrorist attacks.
Tom Moran


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